Winter sporting goods on sale in February

"You can get some pretty good deals on winter sporting goods," says Jon Wertheim, senior writer for Sports Illustrated and co-author of "Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports Are Played and Games Are Won."

If you're looking to pick up skis, skates or a winter jacket, "this is a good time to do so," he says, for a savings "probably in the 25 percent to 40 percent range."

Looking for athletic shoes? "This is a good time for footwear," Wertheim says. "There's a whole new round of footwear that's out, so you can usually get good deals on footwear the first three months of the year." Your savings: about 20 percent to 40 percent, he says.

Chances are you can get good deals on remaining fall merchandise, says Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation. Hats, gloves and scarves will often be marked down about 50 percent to 75 percent, he says.

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